Taiwan Quick Take: Group to repatriate Thais

STAFF WRITER WITH CNA

A Thai delegation of 30 immigration officials and members of a women's association of the Royal Thai Police headed for Taiwan yesterday to repatriate 20 Thai workers arrested for residing illegally in Taiwan. The Thai workers are currently in the custody of police. The delegation is being led by Suwat Tumrongsiskul, chief of the Police Immigration Bureau, and Wantanee Wattana, wife of Kowit Wattana, who heads the Royal Thai Police. Thai authorities said they attach much importance to the repatriation, which will be the first such case involving Taiwan in Thailand's judicial history. It is also Suwat's first visit to Taiwan as immigration bureau director, an official of Taiwan's Representative Office in Thailand said yesterday. The delegation is scheduled to fly back to Thailand tomorrow.